Fresh Fruity Pickin's

It's so much fun noticing a trend from the inside out, sorta speak. I've been reading Style Feed, a book about popular bloggers (although it was published back in 2011 which is ancient in the fashion blogger world!) And the author, Susie Bubble, talks about the push and pull of fashion - where do some trends originate from: the streets or the catwalk? 

I started to notice a trend of fruit fashion in a lot of my favorite fashion bloggers so I immediately assumed that it was going to be a big trend this year that everyone had known about but me. So I jumped on google ready to see all the fantastic runway photos with fruits blazing from Cara Delevingne's chest. Couldn't find any except for ones from Spring 2011 (how did I not know that was a trend then?!?!) Which leads to me to think... maybe the fashion bloggers are reviving this trend for 2014...? I also struggled to find a cornucopia of fruit fashion to pick from a wide range of online sites. Although, slowly but surely things are starting to pop up. Modcloth is leading the way on this one which makes sense, being that they are lovers of novelty items and prints. I've also had my eye on an adorable banana tote bag at H&M. 

Regardless of where it started this time around, I couldn't be more pleased! I want all the watermelon, cherries, apples, pears, peaches, and bananas I can squeeze into my closet! What do you think of fruit fashion? 

The Cherry Blossom Girl

The Cherry Blossom Girl

What Olivia Did

Gary Pepper Girl on Man Repeller

The Cinnamon Slipper

Xander Vintage

Modcloth | Asos | Nordstrom | Modcloth  

Etsy | Asos | Modcloth | Delias 

Modcloth | Modcloth | Modcloth | Etsy 

Net-a-Porter | Etsy | Etsy | P Johnson

And here's my own growing collection, as seen from instagram! The strawberry earrings are actually my mom's from the 80's. :) 

How to Wear Style in a Super Casual Office

An old high school friend, Valerie, wrote to me a while ago:
"My job is uber casual like you can wear pj's and no one would look twice. I feel like I'm starting to lose some style and I'm tired of jeans everyday. What are your favorite casual yet pulled together looks? What key pieces should I look for this spring? Also, it's reallllllly cold in the office so layers are good for me since I'm already cold natured."

Valeria, I can totally understand your dilemma! You don't want to loose your style, but you also don't want to walk into work feeling like you're wearing a ball gown. To keeping things casual yet stylish, think of it the up-down factor.

If you're going to wear a dress or skirt (something that's usually more dressy) you would want to style it DOWN - small, simple accessories, flats or boots, denim or leather  jacket or a boyfriend sweater always makes things more casual.

If you are going to wear jeans and t-shirt (something already very casual), you want to style it UP. Add a pair of high heeled boots or wedge sandals. More large statement pieces of jewelry and bold lipstick. Add a blazer or trade the t-shirt for a button-up. 

Source: 1 | 2 | 3

Change out those jeans for a skirt. Pair with flats or sandals. 

Source: 1 | 2 | 3

One of this Spring's trends is minimalism. Keeping things clean and simple will make you look fresh and fashion forward. 

 Source: 1 | 2 | 3

Throwing on an effortless sundress is one of the easiest ways to get ready. Throw a cardigan over it to make it appropriate for the office and wear only a few key accessories. 

 Source: 1 | 2 | 3

Maxis aren't just for the beach. Add a blazer and you have instant professionalism. A crisp oxford button-up & wide belt is the perfect mix of a little funky and a lot classic. The most casual (and most comfortable of all!) is a maxi dress with an oversized throw-over. 

  Source: 1 | 2 | 3

If you feel something is too dressy, add denim. A denim jean jacket or chambray shirt immediately tones down a look. 

 Source: 1 | 2 | 3

Stripes make anything look classic and pulled together but not stuffy. Pair it with a blazer and then choose between either a statement necklace or colored jeans. 

Source: 1 | 2 | 3

Playing with patterns and bold colors adds a big but easy punch to the humdrum of a boring wardrobe.

You can also take a look at a past Belted Pear post where I talk about how to look pulled together most of the time.

Besides clicking on the links for these photos, a few other resources to peruse might be these ladies' blogs. 

Running Late

J's Everyday Fashion

A Clothes Call

And when in doubt, just ask yourself... WWJAD? 

She epitomizes the perfect blend of being pulled together and chic with simple and effortless casualness. 

Source

Hope this helps, Valerie! Thanks for asking.
If anyone else has some perplexing fashion situation, feel free to email me at lindseydish@ymail.com and I'll see if I can help ya out! :) 

Instagram Travel Photo Journal

My favorite way to pack: All the beach accoutrements and not much else! 

A few weeks back my boyfriend's sister, Megan, came to Singapore the same time that we had a weeklong vacation. Megan really wanted to see tigers and we knew Thailand was just the place for that. It was a super-duper hardship going back to Thailand and all but hey, what are families for?! ;-) We didn't stay very long - just long enough to soak up some sun, grab some delicious cheap food & drinks, stroke some big kitties, and get tons of cheap massages before we jumped back on a plane to check out Malaysia (photos of that to come!)

Can't start vacation without the obligatory yummy, fruity drink. And come on! It was two for one! 

Me, my boyfriend, and our 10 billion freckles. 

Patong Beach. A crowded beach but I love the vibe. 

Megan at Tiger Kingdom. These weren't even the biggest cats! They weren't drugged so they were pretty alert and frisky half the time. The other half of the time they acted like any other cats - lazy and totally unimpressed by us. 

I don't know who looks more cuddly - my bf or the big kitty! Also, I am kicking myself that I didn't get an OOTD photo of this gorgeous tropical dress for y'all. 

Patong's night life is craaaaazy. I have never seen so many sequins and heels at a beach town in my life. It's awesome for people watching. 

One of the beautiful corners of Thailand. 

On the beach at night you can buy lanterns to make wishes. Then you watch your wishes fly off into the stars. 

Second day in Phuket, Thailand. 

We ate so well at this place! Margaritas, steaks, creme brûlée. Mmmm!! Can't get a feast for that price in Singapore. 

Also cheap massages. Stephen maxes out on these like no one I've ever seen. He's in full princess mode but who can blame him?

Bye, Thailand! Until next time. <3

Mall Bohemian

Singapore is full of malls, malls, and more malls. Everything is in the mall - the post office, the library, hair salons, massage parlors, dentists... When the weather is hot, humid and rainy year round, Singaporeans want to escape into the cool breeze of the aircon. In fact, there are three malls just near my work alone. And it's t-r-o-u-b-l-e. When I pop in to grab some lunch, I'm always  eyeing something I want. As a shopping addict, Singapore is a big candy store for me and it's so hard to say no! 

Luckily for me, I'm also a frugal spender. I kept visiting this dress and hemming and hawing about the $25 price tag (which is silly, I know. It's not that much but hey, things can add up quickly when you live in the most expensive city in the world!) Finally, I just had to buy it. 

Especially when one of this spring's trends is bohemian. After seeing Modcloth's instagram, Forever 21's instagram, and Free People I just had to jump on board, too. I threw on all my turquoise jewelry (can't get enough of it!) brown belt, flower in my hair and voila! Pretty dern easy. The cool thing about this dress is because it's white it's duh-obviously so versatile. My bf said the dress looked Great Gasby-esque, too. Might be giving that style a go for next time! 

What are your favorite trends this spring?

Dress: Cache Cache | Shoes, Belt, Most Jewelry: Thrift Store | Wooden Necklace: Handmade | Thin Rings: H&M | Turquoise Ball Necklace: Thailand | Flower Pin: H&M